Weather
Rain doesn't stop Troop 60 from going on an out, but certain weather conditions will change our plans.
Summary
Robert Baden-Powell once said the definition of the Scout motto Be Prepared is this: “A Scout must prepare himself by previous thinking out and practicing how to act on any accident or emergency so that he is never taken by surprise.” Baden-Powell also advocated that young men spend a lot of time learning in and about the out-of-doors, as he said, “The open-air is the real objective of Scouting and the key to its success.” However, we still need to be aware of our surroundings and their changing conditions, including what is happening with the weather.
General Information
Severe weather hazards, such as tornadoes, lightning, hail, flash flooding, and downbursts, can be dangerous. Each requires a basic understanding of what to do so that you can protect yourself and your Scouts. The scale of weather conditions can seem daunting—ranging from high heat with no humidity to torrential downpours with possible flooding. However, some key basic principles can help everyone prepare. Here are a few for you to consider:
Know the weather forecast before you set out on your trip.
Prepare for the types of weather hazards that are associated with your destination, such as tornadoes, lightning, snow, torrential rains, and high winds. The BSA’s online Weather Hazards training (available through My.Scouting.org) is a great resource in this area and should be renewed every two years.
Double-check weather conditions immediately upon arrival to verify forecasts.
The weather can be integral in becoming lost or injured. If visibility becomes limited, respond quickly to gather the Scouts in your care.
Inquire about the location of any designated emergency shelters in the area.
You may never encounter a severe weather hazard. Your chances of being hit by lightning in your lifetime are 1 in 700,000, and the chances of your home being destroyed by a tornado (if you live in tornado alley) are 1 in 150,000. By learning and following these key principles, you can move forward with confidence and provide every opportunity to your Scouts to participate in Baden-Powell’s outdoor laboratory.
Training
It is vital that Adult Leaders are properly trained for outings. It is also import that training is reviewed annually so we can keep our Scouts safe.
Mandatory Training:
Hazardous Weather Training is required every 2 years.
Highly Recommended Training:
Wilderness First-Aid (Covers, Cold Injuries, Heat Injuries, Drowing and Lightning)
Winter Skills Adventure Program - covers all aspects of cold weather outings
Optional Wilderness Survival Module for Wilderness First-Aid Program
Cold
Adult leaders are highly encouraged to attend the Winter Skills Adventure Course and to return as instructors. The Cold Injuries module of our Wilderness First Aid Course should also be reiviewed prior to any Winter Outing.
Altitude
Anything above 8000 feet requires special consideration. Please review material covered in the Wilderness First Aid Course.
Resources
Avalanche Conditions
Adult leaders are highly encouraged to attend the Winter Skills Adventure Course and to return as instructors. One of the many skills we work on is avalanche condition assessment. Understanding what causes avalanches and what conditions pose an avalanche risk helps us avoid avalanche areas in the first place.
Resources
Pass Conditions
Pass Conditions are aways in questions during the winter.
Resources
Heat
Heat is a real threat to safety, especially in the Summer and when in hotter part of the Country. The best way to treat a heat injury is to avoid it in the first place. High heat and humidity will change our activity level on certain outings or cause us to change to an alternate plan.
Adult Leaders should review the treatment of Heat Injuries each year prior to hot weather outings.
Card provided at
'23 Nat Jamboree
Wild Fires and Air Quality
Summer season is also Wildfire Season in our part of the world. Just like the weather, it is vital to keep up to date on Air Quality prior to and during outings.
Snapshot of estimated air quality using PurpleAir during wildfire season. Note measurement in the 900s in Sourdough Fire area by Diablo Lake. A shift in the direction of wind from West-to- East to East-to-West drastically changed the quality of air in the areas around the fire.
See our Air Quality and Wildfires Page for more on Air Quality.
Resources
Water
Water is one of the most dangerous elements we will deal with. There is risk of drowning, hypothermia and even lightning strikes.
Required Training
Recommended Training
Swimming and Water Rescue
Paddle Craft Safety
BSA Lifeguard
Resources
Lightning
Lightning is a rare event in Washington State. Because of this, most locals don't know what to do in a lightning storm. Lightning does occr in our State on occasion and is potentially lethal. It is also very common in other parts of the US and world so it is vital that Adults Leaders understand how to deal with lightning.
DO NOT rely on local camp staff to know what to do in the event of lightning! We have attended multiple camps where camp staff responded improperly to lightning storms. The is a result of poor training, lack of proper protocols and no life experience in dealing with lightning. Troop 60 Adults must be prepared to take charge of any weather emergency.
All Adult Leaders are HIGHLY encouraged to take our Wilderness First Aid Course. One of the modules covers Lightning Injuries.
Card provided at '23 Nat Jamboree
Rule Number One:
When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!
If you can hear thunder, you are within 10 miles and within striking distance of lightning, even if there are NO clouds above you. You should seek shelter in a grounded building for 30 minutes until after the last thunder is heard or last flash of lightning. If a building isn't available, a vehicle with a metal roof is your best bet.
If you are in the water when thunder roars - you must exit the water immediately!
If no safe place is available, spread out 100 feet between each other. This reduces the chance that the entire group is hit all at once by a single bolt of lightning. This allows those NOT hit to perform CPR and render care to these who are injured.